Journey Toward Wholeness

Journey Toward Wholeness

Journey Toward Wholeness (JTW) is the Unitarian Universalist Association's initiative, which implements each congregation's anti-racism, anti-oppression commitment on a church-wide basis. At First Church, this group focuses on dismantling racism, eradicating other oppressions, and on bringing about transformation through increased awareness. The JTW Committeeat First Church is composed of People of Color and people of Anglo/European descent, who are of various gender identities and sexual orientations. Anyone may request to serve on this committee, and members are appointed by the church Board of Trustees.

Justice Resource Teams

These teams engage First Church in an intentional deliberative process toward its goal to become an anti-racist, anti-oppressive multicultural congregation. The justice work is grounded in the lived experience of people who are members of a particular group. For example, we hold ourselves accountable to an analysis of racism used by community-based people of color organizations. Therefore our actions must be directed at bridging that gap and doing our part to create empathy and understanding. These basic principles hold true across all oppressed, marginalized groups. As Justice Resource Teams are developed, we hope that our Ministry Teams will engage them in a mutually supportive and collaborative process, which we refer to as an accountable relationship.

Journey Toward Wholeness Sunday

This program lifts up an anti-racism worship, education, stewardship, and action Sunday, providing resources to support congregations on the path to dismantle racism and oppression as we move closer to the wholeness we yearn for. The congregation, through one annual Generosity Offering (usually coinciding with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend), provides the funds for materials and special opportunities related to JTW's churchwide mission.

DRUUUM provides support and advocacy for UU People of Color (POC) and works to build a community in Unitarian Universalism. DRUUMM works for self-determination, justice, and equal opportunity; celebrate the diverse heritages of its; overcome racism through resistance; and transform and enrich Unitarian Universalism through multicultural experiences. It strives for an accountable relationship with allies of Anglo/European descent for the purpose of building a larger UU community committed to transforming UUism into an anti-racist, ethnically multicultural movement. More information can be found at druumm.onefireplace.org.

The San Diego DRUUMM People of Color Caucus

The Caucus meets quarterly for conversation, deep sharing, as well as laughter and fun. The Caucus connects on a personal level in a safe space within a loving community. Anyone is welcome who self-identifies as a Person of Color (not considered "White" in the USA, such as people with African, Asian/ Pacific Islander, Latino/Latina/ Chicano/Chicana/ Hispanic, Native American/ Indian/ First Nations, West Indian/ Caribbean, Middle Eastern, or multiracial heritage), or who has encountered personal oppression in overt or subtle forms because he or she appears to be of a racial or ethnic identity other than White or Anglo/European. For more information or to be added to the local San Diego email list, please

Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression (AR/AO) Allies

Allies are people who explore issues of anti-racism, anti-oppression and White privilege. Recognizing that oppressions are linked, Allies seek ways to be effective allies to marginalized groups, including people of color and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. They meet to connect in deep discussion in a safe space within a loving community. This is where partners, friends or spouses who do not self-identify as People of Color are encouraged to participate.

Toward a Covenant of Right Relationship

Please read the following before attending meetings of Journey Toward Wholeness and Related Groups:
For most who choose to join us, there is a need to wrestle with the difficult issues around racism, classism, sexism, ageism, ableism, and other forms of oppression of marginalized people, as well as privilege and its repercussions. We recognize that grappling with these issues honestly will help us broaden ourselves emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. To help facilitate these discussions we begin with these commitments:

We strive to live up to our church's commitment to "radical hospitality" and we promise to be visitor-friendly.

We respect and care for the thoughts and feelings of others.

We meet each time anew as individuals with open minds, recognizing that each person has his or her own story, journey, pain, joy, etc. that we may or may not need to share.

We recognize and value the need for a supportive community; to develop this, we spend time in relationship with one another.

We approach our time together in terms of "spiritual work" or "soul work"; we are less about "business" and more about loving and helping when others are hurting.

We act beyond mere toleration and passive acceptance; we embrace one another's worth as unique and diverse individuals. We come with no assumptions.

We have a willingness to listen and learn a new way of being in right relationship.

Newcomers can help keep the process moving forward by taking time in advance to become familiar with the analysis of racism and oppression and the work this group has been doing. Newcomers may also wish to arrange individual meetings with members of JTW, DRUUMM, or AR/AO Allies to facilitate listening and one-on-one discussion.

Journey Toward Wholeness produced by Steve Howard. This video was part of the worship service presented by Journey Toward Wholeness on January 16, 2010 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. Several people describe their approach and their experiences working against racism and other types of oppression.